FBI says case still open in agent's killing

Mark Arner

A spokesman for the FBI yesterday downplayed the arrest by Mexican authorities of a 36-year-old man who officials there said had been identified as the gunman in Thursday's fatal shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas.

On Friday, Tecate municipal police arrested Ernesto Parra Valenzuela about five hours after the slaying. They said Parra Valenzuela had a 9 mm pistol tucked in his clothing when he was found near the site of the shooting.

“With all of the reporting going on from multiple sources, I do not want the public to get the impression that this case is solved,” said Special Agent Darrell Foxworth, a FBI spokesman.

Foxworth stressed that investigators are following many leads and no one has been charged with a crime on the U.S. side of the border.

“There are no pending U.S. charges at this time against any individuals reportedly in Mexican custody,” Foxworth said. “I cannot confirm the specific charges that (Mexican federal law enforcement) has charged.”

Rosas, 30, was tracking suspected illegal immigrants in remote and rocky terrain about 9:15 p.m. Thursday in Campo when he came under fire near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Moments later, he was found dead outside his vehicle by other agents near the border fence.

The investigation has been called “one of the highest priority investigations” being conducted by federal and local law enforcement in Southern California, Foxworth said. More than two dozen investigators from five federal agencies and the Sheriff's Department are involved.

The FBI continues to seek the public's help identifying those involved and has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible. Anyone with information can call the FBI at (858) 565-1255.

Funeral arrangements for Rosas, who is survived by a wife and two children, are pending.